Contributions of roof covering material to Acoustic and Thermal Effect on Learning Activities in Institution Buildings in Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue III, March 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186

Contributions of roof covering material to Acoustic and Thermal Effect on Learning Activities in Institution Buildings in Nigeria

Akugbe Collins Oviasogie
Department of Architecture, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria

Abstract: The material that makes up the institution buildings for learning activities must meet the required standard for temperature and sound level, else, learning process and the end-users will be affected. Meanwhile, aluminium material that has gained incessant usage as roof covering material for institution buildings in Nigeria is known to be poor insulator of sound and heat. This study, therefore, investigates the contribution of roof covering materials to the acoustic and thermal effect on learning activities in institution buildings with a view to improve the learning environment and health of the end-users in Nigeria. The buildings studied are the lecture halls, library, and student hostel. Using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) table, a total of 384 sample sizes drawn with the questionnaire were administered, and the number returned and filled was analysed using chi-square and regression analysis. The findings show the disadvantage of aluminium roof covering that includes sound interference during learning activities, diverted attention among students and reduced teaching ability of the teacher or instructors mostly in both the lecture hall and the library. In addition, the material’s poor heat insulation nature causes increased sweating and headache. Therefore, recommendations that can sustain the available material best fit the available cost were made based on the study research findings.

Keywords: Acoustic, Institution building, Nigeria, Roofing sheet, Thermal effect.

I. INTRODUCTION

The standard temperature for learning infrastructures is between 25-27 degrees Celsius (Miller, 2011); when this level is passed in the indoor environment, it causes excessive sweating, confusion, annoyance, increased body temperature, sunburn, and other cardiovascular adverse effects (Gascho, 2006) to users. Also, the standard noise level is between 30-45dB, depending on the characteristics and function. When sounds are above the normal level, they can result in hearing impairment, hypertension, annoyance, ischemic heart disease annoyance, and sleep disturbances, among others. In learning environments, studies show that learning activities are affected due to user interference in sound, increasing user fatigue, and difficulty recognizing speech sources that lead to frustration in students (Bradley and Sato, 2008).

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